ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Jeff Smith homered in the third inning and Orlando Olivera continued a season-long hitting streak on Tuesday in a non-conference affair against Culver-Stockton (Mo.). The Spartans posted three runs in the sixth on the way to a 6-2 win in Canton, Mo.

Missouri Baptist (31-6, 14-5 AMC) got on the board first in the third inning as hard-hitting third baseman Jeff Smith posted a solo home run in the leadoff spot. Smith drove a pitch over the left field wall to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.

MBU posted three more in the top of the sixth. After Eli Roundtree scored on a wild pitch, Tim Cusick belted a two-RBI double down the right field line and made the lead 4-0.

The Wildcats got one back in the bottom-half as Nay Seldomridge came to the plate. The Culver-Stockton left fielder hit an RBI single to left field and made it 4-1, but that was as close as the home team got. The Spartans posted two more runs in the top of the seventh and held the lead in the 6-2 victory.

Chris Cordova was lights-out for the Spartans on the hill. The senior pitcher tossed five and a third innings and surrendered just one run on three hits on the way to his second win of the season. He finished his outing with seven strikeouts.

Offensively, MBU's Smith led the way for the Spartans. The third baseman went 3-4 at the plate with an RBI. Olivera went 1-4 with two RBI. He has now hit safely in 14 consecutive games. In fact, the Spartan left fielder has gone hitless in just two games this season.

Missouri Baptist will now gear-up for a big conference showdown at home this weekend against Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) with first place in the American Midwest Conference on the line. First pitch in a Friday doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Spartan Field.